Auburn Montessori School

Today I made the time to have lunch with a new colleague, a  fellow administrator. I thought we would discuss our respective classroom situations, the effects of the economy and leadership quanderies. Instead, we wound up sharing our "how we came to love Montessori" stories, and reveling in the joy of coming to work every day.

When you  find someone who understands what Montessori means educationally and spiritually to a developing child, it feels like you've found someone in the secret society of those who are aware of " the gift". It is almost possible to feel guilty to be in on this wonderful secret that many have not, and will never discover.

The conversation turns to how many amazing and  beautiful things we witness in a day, how profound the experience has been for our own children and family, and how absolutely wonderful, across the board, Montessori parents are. They become friends, teachers, and allies and we miss them terribly when they finally leave.

My colleague and I come at this experience from two very diverse paths.  I have been involved with Montessori since I was 19, and have had my school for almost 30 years.  She spent the same time in corporate America, as a business woman, project manager, and Mom.  She found Montessori for her last child, after realizing that her others had been negatively impacted by their educational experiences in more traditional schools.  She administrates and I teach.  And yet, we have the same perceptions of this life we have chosen. We get the same sense of fulfillment that has nothing to do with financial reward.

We both love our schools and our lives revolve around giving our all to making them better.  We both mourn that we sometimes have to compete with reputations of schools that are less than they should be, but carry the Montessori name. We both want to end the prevailing myths that abound regarding Montessori:  they are too lenient; they are too strict; they don't prepare the child for regular school; they are religion based... etc. But these myths were around when I started in 1978, and they may be forever. And, as always,  those who look closer will continue to find us and see the wonderful reality.

As the economy worsens, we are both doing what we can to help families who are committed to stay onboard. We are proud of the fact that our people are not defecting to save money. They are hanging on. They are cutting back in other ways to keep their dream of raising balanced, empathetic, peaceful, self taught learners, kids who can find their way in any environment, problem solve, and respect others, alive.  They are preparing their children for life, and to be the next keepers of our planet. Having the honor to participate in this dance is the true gift we are  thankful for these holidays.

And if you came into our classrooms and watched us for a day, you too, would feel the joy, and see the gifts the children give to each other and to us. You would want to be part of it all, and you would be in on the secret, too.  I am privileged to work in such a great community with so many dedicated colleagues and families.  I want to thank all of you who consider Montessori for your child, in all parts of the world. Together, we can keep this going, for the love of the children...